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Lions decide on their new offensive coordinator

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jan 19, 2026 4:51 PM ET

The Detroit Lions have made their pick to fill their highly-coveted offensive coordinator position.

The Lions are hiring former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. Petzing is expected to handle playcalling duties.

While former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel interviewed for the position, ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported that Dan Campbell did not view McDaniel as the right fit, and the Detroit job was the one he was least likely to land.

Of coordinator jobs that Mike McDaniel has interviewed for, the Lions gig was the least likely to materialize. Campbell liked McDaniel a lot, but Lions didn’t view it as quite the right fit for them.

As for other OC vacancies? Mike is very much in play. Ball is in his court. https://t.co/urG1cDmg4T
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 19, 2026

Petzing, 38, served as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator from 2023 to 2025. He has also been an assistant with the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings. While the Cardinals did not necessarily excel under Petzing, he got high-level performances out of the likes of tight end Trey McBride, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett just had the best season of his career under Petzing.

Petzing will replace John Morton, who was fired after one season. The Lions are essentially still trying to find a suitable replacement for Ben Johnson a year after he left to coach the Chicago Bears, but Petzing fits the mold better than Morton seemed to.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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